EAST HAMPTON >> More than 200 people squeezed into the middle school library/media center to pressure the Board of Finance to restore funding for education.

It was the second large-scale demonstration in a week directed at restoring a proposed 1.9-percent increase in education spending in the 2016-17 budget. But the number of people who turned out on this evening was nearly triple the number that came out last week to make a similar plea.

The finance board took no action Monday following the outpouring of pleas and demands for restored funding.

But, crucially, board chairwoman Allison Tokarz said she supported some increase in school spending.

“I don’t feel we can make it zero,” Tokarz said. “But I’m more comfortable with 1.7 percent, which covers the teacher’s contract.”

The contract has become something of a lightning rod in the debate over school funding.

Several speakers Monday criticized the Town Council for approving the new teacher’s contract last fall but then demanding level funding in the budget. They said level funding would not cover the costs of the agreed-upon raises.

Four town councilors — Pete Brown, Melissa Engel, Mark Philhower and Kevin Reich — were present for the discussion.

Whatever the finance board decides, the Town Council will have the final say on the budget that will be sent to residents for a May referendum.

In presenting his proposed budget to the Board of Finance earlier this month, Town Manager Michael Maniscalco had recommended no increase for education spending. He did so, Maniscalco explained, in response to a directive from the Town Council. However, Maniscalco’s power to make a recommendation on education spending was challenged by former Board of Education member William Marshall, who said the charter only give the manager the power to “advise” the finance board on the education budget. Marshall was the first of more than 40 people who spoke during an extended 95-minute public comment portion of the meeting.

The front rows of the small seating section in the library were filled with students, including members of the girls’ volleyball team, who all wore electric pink T-shirts. Other student-athletes wore bright blue shirts.

Several students spoke of their fears over the possible loss of either a social studies teacher or the volleyball team coach if the funding is not restored. Other students sometimes spoke emotionally about how the commitment of various teachers and/or coaches had given them the focus and discipline necessary to become better students.

“You meet these kids who are teetering,” said Mark Vickery, the president of the Sports Boosters.

And yet, the finance board proposes “hacking away” at that support system for those children, Vickery said.

One speaker, Board of Education member Erika Bonaccorso, said, “We need to keep our children occupied.”

Fellow school board member Tania Sones said the finance board had said it intended to be “fiscally responsible.” The board has to go beyond that and “be responsible for maintaining morale” of the teaching staff, Sones said. If the schools operate with a zero increase, it will lead to teacher layoffs and larger class sizes, Sones said.

With classes of as many as 29 students, “teachers are simply going to become baby-sitters,” Sones said. And if that is the case, “Why should they stay?” The same will apply to parents, Sones said. “A lot of us will be choosing to go out of district.”

Councilor Kevin Reich, who spent decades in the school system, said the 1.9 percent increase request “is very fair” and would enable “our children to get the things they deserve.” Reich called upon the finance board to tell the council to change its method of paying for a new fire truck.

In December, the council ignored the judgment of Director of Finance Jeffrey M. Jylkka and used more than $800,000 from a debt-sinking fund to pay cash for the new ladder truck. At the direction of previous councils, Jylkka had been setting aside money to offset the projected mill increase related to paying for the high school renovation project.

Critics contend the council intentionally spent the money to create a situation where it could then demand reduced budgets.

“Force the issue back where it should be,” Reich said.

Restoring the money to the debt-sinking fund would enable the town to offset the mill rate increase “and give the Board of Ed back their money,” Reich said. Reich also called upon the town to lease two new dump trucks which would “put $150,000 back into the budget.”

Bob Hine, a substitute teacher in the school system, suggested there is “a little bit of animus toward the Board of Ed” on the part of two councilors, whom he did not name. “If someone is trying to stick it to the Board of Ed, they are doing it the wrong way: You’re sticking it to the kids,” Hine said.

If the zero increase is allowed to stand, “A lot electives are going to be swept away,” student Christine Guerette said. “Many opportunities for students will be eliminated and we will be unable to fully experience high school.”

If the town decides to flat-fund education, “You’re saying we’re not worth the money,” student Blake Griffiths aid. “That’s a real slap to the face.”

“I’d be more than happy to pay higher taxes to keep this school system the way it is,” parent Dan Pellegrino said.

Board of Education member Joanne Barmasse commended those who had turned out to speak to the Board of Finance. But the Town Council, the final decider, “needs to be told we need the 1.9 percent,” Barmasse said. And, with steel in her voice, she added, “We need to pass this budget the first time.”

Last year, it took four referenda before the budget was approved. That can’t be allowed to happen again this year, she said. “That’s the most important thing. It’s an absolute necessity,” a resolute Barmasse said through rising applause from many in the audience.

Other speakers were equally passionate. Jackie Russell described a zero increase as “unconscionable,” as did Karen Flannery.

“The 1.9 should go back in and let it go to the people to decide,” former finance board chairman Ted Turner said.

Student Lindsay deBrito said she had attended an inadequate school system in the south. “I’ve seen first-hand what high class enrollment and low budgets can mean. I was learning things in the fifth grade there that I had learned in the third grade here,” deBrito said. “It’s really important that the budget passes and that we do not have a [lousy] school system.”